Is the Space Needle worth seeing?

First time to Seattle and of course we've heard about the tourist spots (Space Needle, Pike's Place, etc.) Are they worth visiting or really touristy and crowded? If so, what are better places a first timer should experience in Seattle?

Talia, great question. Another good one is "Is the Eiffel Tower really worth seeing?" :) (YES!)

Even though it's cheesy and expensive and filled with (fellow) tourists, The Space Needle just one of those things you do when you visit Seattle, similar to Pike Place Market. It's like skipping the London Eye or Great Pyramids if you don't go!

And then you can look at all the cheesy pictures of Seattle and say "I was on top of that silly looking building!"

The area around the Space Needle is neat, they have the Experience Music Project and Chihuly Garden and Glass museums as well so it's worth popping by. The needle itself gets busy but not as busy as attractions in other major cities. We had dinner in the restaurant and it was actually really great. Definitely go see Pike Place Market, the gum wall and the pier shops. Their public library is also pretty neat.

For the Space Needle, I'd make a day of it in Lower Queen Anne. Get some donuts at Top Pot Doughnuts, go to the Experience Music Project, check out the views from Kerry Park (best view in Seattle), and then if it's a nice, clear day, go to Space Needle later in the day when you have some great light to get good photos. The food and drink there is nothing to write home about, but the views are stellar.

The Space Needle really is a tough call. Even on a not-so-clear day we had great views, but I almost think on a nice day I'd rather spend it in one of Seattle's great parks like Kerry Park or Gas Work Parks. The views of the skyline from Kerry Park are stunning - with Mount Rainier in the background you can catch some fantastic sunsets here.

Chihuly Garden and Glass is right next to the Space Needle and I think that is absolutely worth it - just a beautiful collection of Chihuly's amazing creations.

As for Pike Place Market - it can get extremely crowded but we absolutely loved it. We did a market food tour with Savor Seattle Food Tours so we got to try a bunch of the food without waiting in lines, and got a nice history of the market and Seattle at the same time. We went back for more chowder from Pike Place Chowder and piroshkys from Piroshky Piroshky, so I think the tour helped us figure out where it was worth waiting in line. I waited in a crazy long line for more piroshkys and for me it was totally worth it-they are DELICIOUS! If you get there earlier or on a weekday you'll probably find it a bit less crowded.

Definitely spend time in the downtown area at Pike Place and if you're into aviation, you HAVE to go to Museum of Flight at Boeing Field!! You can actually take the city bus there VERY easily (I just did it two months ago). There are a LOT of cool things there!

I've lived in Seattle 6 years and never been up. Smith Tower is a cheaper alternative and Kerry Park is a FREE alternative which lets you see the skyline *including* the Space Needle. But... I'm cheap. Maybe try Kerry Park and see if it is a nice enough skyline-viewing experience for you. Also, definitely wander around the base of the space needle and check out the fountain, sculptures, friendship garden, etc., all free to enjoy.

I definitely agree with the recommendations below for other sights to see. I also think it's nice to go to the top of other buildings like the Columbia Tower Club to see the view with the Space Needle in it. It's a little cheaper and if you have a student id card, it's less than half the price of the Space Needle.

Yes its worth seeing, but not sure if its worth paying to ride up to the top? Its an amazing structure, and there is something about its form that is pleasing to the eye, but the line and the cost of riding to the top is a bit much, and you really don't even get to the top, you just get to the observation deck, which is almost the top, but not really (a year or two ago a local band played a set at the very top to celebrate the 50th birthday of the Needle). The views from the obs deck are great IF its not foggy, rainy, or thick clouds (which never happens in seattle). Ride it once on a nice day, but after that just view it in awe from the ground!

No, the Space Needle is not worth visiting. I have done it twice, once when I was a little kid and even then it was sort of boring. The second time I was forced to go and it is a huge waste of money and time. Molly S's alternatives are right on for better ways to see the city.

I wish I could add more context or information, but it really is a pretty sad experience.

Space Needle is totally worth it if you have a nice day for great views to the mountains. If not, skip it. It can be nice at night too. I hear improvements have been made to restaurant. If you eat there, you go up free. It will likely be crowded, but on a beautiful day, the views are amazing in all directions. Pike Place Market is ALWAYS crowded, but it is so "Seattle" - I would say don't miss it!

If it's a sunny day, absolutely. The restaurant can be missed as it is not the best food experience in Seattle, though it is a very nice high-service experience if you're interested. I had brunch there in March and was surprised at how lovely it was. The view from Columbia Tower Club observation deck is even better, and has great factoids plus a small counter serving light eats and beer/wine.